So my suspicion from the previous chapter was kinda right.
Southern continent alchemy was re-established but disconnected from the greater sphere of knowledge.
It explains the lack of shared terms and concepts.
In this case, I'd chalk it up to the culturally and generationally built up fear of dragons and their actual up-close presence being a greater factor in destroying morale than a distant weapon that's been only a recent and barely identifiable participant in war.